49ers NFL Draft needs: 2018 cornerback big board
By Jay Marsdale
One area of concern for the San Francisco 49ers this offseason is at the cornerback position. There are several ways that the front office can attempt to address this position heading into 2018. The smartest route is through the NFL Draft this April.
The cornerback position is one that can completely dictate the success and failure of an entire defense in the NFL. With all of the talented receivers and quarterbacks in this league, corners are being tested more and more each year.
Every great defense has a group of corners that can both cover and make solid tackles in open space. The days where defenses could rely on the linebackers and defensive line to win games are gone.
The San Francisco 49ers were exposed at the cornerback position early in 2017, but made solid strides later in the year. That being said, San Francisco does not have a true shutdown corner right now.
San Francisco 49ers
The NFL Draft is a great place for this team to improve their secondary immediately. Last season the New Orleans Saints drafted Marshon Lattimore with the 11th overall pick, and he quickly became one of the best corners in the league.
That is the type of talent San Francisco hopes to find come the 2018 draft in April.
The 49ers only have one first-round pick and they may use that pick on a cornerback. But if they decide to upgrade at a different position, there will still be options for them later in the draft. One thing is almost certain, however, San Francisco will be selecting at least one cornerback in this year’s draft.
No. 1: Josh Jackson (Iowa)
The 49ers have the ninth/10th selection in the draft this year (depending on a coin flip), and that is right around where Iowa cornerback Josh Jackson will be taken. Jackson is seen as the best corner in the draft, and his play in 2017 warrants that praise.
The Iowa Hawkeyes corner will fit right into any defense in the NFL, as a top defender from day one. Jackson is a scout’s dream. His rare mix of size, speed and football knowledge make him a definite early first-round pick.
Jackson was able to make his presence felt constantly at Iowa against some of the best offenses in the NCAA. He proved his big-game ability with a huge performance against Ohio State with three interceptions.
Jackson was asked to step into a much larger role heading into the 2017 season. Before his junior season, Jackson had only made 10 tackles and he had not gotten one interception. When asked by the coaching staff to lead the Hawkeyes secondary, he responded with eight interceptions and 48 tackles.
There is a reason so many teams are high on Jackson. His physical and mental football abilities line up with his stellar performance in 2017. The 49ers may decide to look at another position with their first-round pick, but Jackson is worth the selection.
He is clearly the first corner to come off the board in 2018.